William Speke
Memorial: South Gloucestershire war dead not on a local memorial
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery
Medals: 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Next of Kin Memorial Plaque 1914 - 1921, Silver War Badge, Victory Medal
Rank and number: Gunner 826052
Parents: Samuel and Sophia Speke
Home address: Brookside, Ebley, Stroud
Pre-war occupation: Groom
Date of birth: 1879
Place of birth: Doynton
Date of death: 11/06/1917
Buried/Commemorated at: Buried at Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines
Age: 37
Further information:
William was born in Doynton, the only child of a coachman. In 1911 he was living with his parents and working as a painter, but when he enlisted four years later, he cited his occupation as a groom.
William enlisted in the 3/1st South Midland Brigade Royal Field Artillery at the end of May 1915 when he was recorded as being 5' 7 ½ " tall and physically well developed. William was mobilised and embarked for France landing in Le Havre in March 1916 where he undertook three lots of trench mortar training before returning home on leave in January 1917. He re-joined the "V" 61st Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery in February 1917 and fought in the Battle of Arras (9 Apr 1917 – 16 May 1917). He died on the 11th June, at the 2/2nd London Field Ambulance, from multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, head and face.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
This information has been provided by Sarah Hands, Volunteer Researcher for the South Gloucestershire War Memorials Web Site.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
https://www.cwgc.org/
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/
Some information supplied by Kingswood Heritage Museum